Very fruitful

Months would pass since the birth of your children and the beginning of resettlement of the ancient ruins in the Frostback Mountains. In those three months, there were many things you would learn about the Panacea's effects, and why it should remain solely a weapon in your possession.

Not only does it abnormally boost fertility, it even goes as far as to hasten the maturity rates of all children affected; where one would expect years for a babe to grow to adulthood, yours and others hastily matured in just half a month, ready to breed and make more children. Furthermore, in Orzammar, the new children have developed a huge propensity for absorbing and inventing knowledge, leading to an unprecedented intellectual boom in the ailing Dwarven Kingdom.

Within a month, the Dwarves were able to work out the formula for reinforced concrete using sand and aggregates, and by discovering how to further advance the art of metallurgy with blast furnaces and machines. Over the following months, Orzammar would enter its first ever industrial revolution, made to be non-polluting with the help of Dalish Keepers sent there to facilitate exchange of knowledge.

And as Orzammar redeveloped its entire capital city, expanding its buildings to be more accommodating to foreign visitors and greater numbers, there has also been the recent improvement of blackpowder, so favoured and coveted by the Qunari. This was due to the visits of the Valo-kas mercenaries, a group of Qunari who preferred to live outside the restrictive Qun doctrine their kin practice. Sharing the formula, the Dwarves improved to create a smokeless variety, and in the process created the first ever flintlock rifles and cannons.

Orzammar would not expand its territory, too busy with consolidating and preparing for a population boom, but the newly invented (or improved) Dwarven-made guns proved integral in turning the tide.

This, and the newly-reinvented art of Runelore.

For millennia, Dwarves have always used Runes as a means of enchanting objects and imbuing them with powers in place of their innate inability to cast magic or dream in the Fade, yet never truly in a more proactive manner beyond simply chiseling and carving them.

One radical woman, named Olescha Godra, has decided to take matters into her own hands by handcrafting her own Anvil of Doom - the art long lost to Dwarvenkind - through constant trial and error.

Now, with the newly-minted Runesmiths and Runelords and guns in their arsenal, Orzammar was primed to take the fight to the Darkspawn and reclaim its ancestral lands.

The Elves, too, have begun experimenting with their magics and recovering whatever they can, the Somniari tirelessly working to commune with Fade Spirits and recovering their lost knowledge. Still, a growing number of Dalish Elves have begun to adopt more modern technologies and methods, intent on acclimatizing to the changing times.

The Venatori, having managed to wrest control of a number of towns and villages, began digging in and setting up fortifications to protect their gains, bringing in reinforcements from Tevinter to facilitate their campaigns.

And as for Ferelden or Orlais... things were not going so well.

Both nations have capable and talented generals beating back the Venatori time and time again, helping buy time for their nations to rearrange themselves onto a war footing, but political disputes and disagreements have begun to arise. Empress Celene has a handle on things, but is beset by factionalism instigated by her brother Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons, and King Alistair is failing to have the Bannorn reach a conclusive agreement on a war strategy.

And thusly, it would fall to you once again to set things straight.

This time, however, to seize full control of both nations and the continent itself.

It was in the Brecilian Forest that you met one of your old acquaintances during your tenure as a Warden, when you needed to solicit Elven aid during the Fifth Blight.

Keeper Lanaya of Clan Tamrith was there to greet you, just as Dalish scouting parties began returning to the camp.

"It's been a decade since we last saw each other, Warden Alaras," Said Lanaya, "Oh, I'm sorry, you're the Lord Inquisitor now; how you've risen up in the world."

"It's forgiven," You said, "I see your Clan's increased in number."

From a paltry five thousand, Clan Tamrith had begun taking in Elven refugees and other City Elves who tired of their oppressive lives, even freeing Elven slaves held under the thrall of Venatori slavers. That, and with some Panacea-affected Elves mingling with their own, Clan Tamrith now boasts a population twice that number.

"It's not been easy, but the Fereldeners do not dare approach the Brecilian Forest, so we've been able to set up some agriculture to feed our people," Said Lanaya, "Still, from what my scouts report..."

"The peace here won't last much longer, that is certain," You said, "So I will get straight to the point: Can I count on Clan Tamrith's support?"

Lanaya simply nodded in understanding.

"You want an alliance with us, then?" She asked.

"No, I want to count on you as people of my new nation."

At this, Lanaya and her guards looked at you with surprise and caution.

"I don't understand, you mean to build a nation?" Said Lanaya, "How will you do that when Ferelden and Orlais will clearly not allow that?"

"Oh, I know, which is exactly why I plan to seize power in Ferelden," You said.

Lanaya shakes her head, saying, "The nobles here will never accept your rule; for all they know, you're a knife-eared upstart coming to overthrow them and the 'Maker's superior children'."

"That, I know as well," You said, "And that is why they are not necessary. Neither they, nor the Chantry."

You lean in closely, a smile gracing your lips.

"Men who cling to the past will be swept away by the tide of change. Men who oppose me will die."

And Lanaya and her guards shivered in fear at your words.

"Anyway, if I'm to build a new home for us Elves, I cannot afford to have us divided, and so I must have them answer to my supreme authority," You said, "So I ask again: Can I count on Clan Tamrith's support?"

One of Lanaya's guards whispered fiercely into her ear, and the exchange continued for a good few minutes as you patiently awaited her answer.

Lanaya then asked, "If we join you, if we join the Inquisition... I have a condition."

"Name it," You said.

"No matter what... the Brecilian Forest is first and foremost Dalish territory," Said Lanaya, "We may accept a few non-Elven migrants if that's your wish, but it still remains ours by right."

"Accepted," You said.

"J-Just that quickly?" Asked Layana.

"Well, if I am being frank, and I think you might take offense," You said, "I'm not interested in a plot of land so small as the Brecilian Forest."

"I-What?" Said Lanaya, "Just what do you mean?"

Your next words were perhaps the most outrageous anyone would ever hear.

"I want the entire world in the palm of my hand."

And with that, you left a dumbstruck and fearful Lanaya behind.

"Keeper, what does this mean?" Asked one of her guards.

"That we should never, ever, make an enemy of him," Said Lanaya.

It was in the Teyrnir of Gwaren that you met with the reigning Teyrn Douglas Cannon, cousin of the Mac Tir Family twice-removed and Anora's replacement with her reigning as Queen of Ferelden.

Gwaren had fallen on hard times, but under Teyrn Douglas's superb leadership and with recent Inquisition and Dwarven support, it has since developed into a respectable port province with modern defenses and amenities.

And it was within the newly built Gwaren Keep - primarily Dwarven-styled in architecture - that you and Leliana met with Teyrn Douglas, the slightly portly man greeting you with gentle cheeks round with fat.

"A pleasure to see you, Inquisitor Alaras," Said Douglas smilingly, "It's been a while since you last helped us drive back the Darkspawn bands lurking in the nearby forest. And a pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Leliana."

"Oh please, I'm no Lady, merely the Spymistress of the Inquisition," Said Leliana, "I have to say though, I didn't expect you to have political connections of your own, Alaras."

"Mostly among people I've helped and who I deem worthy," You said.

Not long after King Alistair's coronation and the end of the Fifth Blight, you were one of many senior Grey Wardens in Ferelden tasked with clean-up duty, mopping up the remaining traces of Darkspawn still roaming the lands of the Kingdom. Gwaren was one such place dealing with a Darkspawn infestation, and with your help and that of your fellow Grey Wardens, Gwaren became militarily secure.

"I have to say though, I've never seen Gwaren so prosperous before," Said Leliana, "I've only been here once, but it wasn't as prosperous as it is now."

The ports of Gwaren, sprawling metropolises of stone for miles, accommodate dozens of goods-laden merchant ships by the day and protect them with sea walls manned by strong ballistae, and the cities, towns and villages of Gwaren - built of strong stone, brick and tile - comfortably house its citizens and protect them from the cold, all linked together by roads of paved stone.

Recently, with Teyrn Douglas accepting Elven refugees into his domain, the population of both City and Dalish Elves has since surpassed fifty thousand.

"But you're never one to visit a more remote place like mine for simple pleasantries, not when your position demands a lot from you, Alaras," Said Douglas.

"Remote? Yours?" You said.

"Honestly, I don't think it qualifies as remote, Teyrn Douglas," Said Leliana.

"Heh, a mere joke, you can ignore that," Said Douglas, "But tell me, what do you need of me?"

"Simple: Your allegiance," You said.

"Oh? Against who, the Chantry or the Kingdom?" Asked Douglas.

"I have no enmity against the Kingdom, but I must nonetheless seize power," You said, "King Alistair is repeatedly failing to keep the Bannorn under control despite Queen Anora's help, and I do not think the Kingdom will last much longer with such divided leadership."

"I see," Said Douglas, "You always were the type to prefer relying on your own power instead of others."

"That does not mean I can simply do this alone, and without a just cause," You said, "I need someone to support my takeover, and to prepare for the replacement of leadership or risk a power vacuum persisting after Alistair's dethronement."

"Heh, so that's why," Said Douglas, "I take it you've already approached your fellow Dalish?"

"That, and Teyrn Fergus of Highever and King Bhelen of Orzammar as well," You said, "They're the only ones who I can trust with this."

"We've also begun approaching some of the local Arls and Banns for help in this matter," Said Leliana, "So rest assured you will not be alone in this matter if you accept, my Teyrn."

"You're really not doing this by the half-measure, are you?" Said Douglas, "Anyway, my answer is yes."

"Really?" You asked.

"You're the one that helped me and allowed me to build Gwaren to what it is today, and with Inquisition support making its way directly to us than through the pit of snakes called the Bannorn, I'd gladly pick the Inquisition any day," Said Douglas, "Besides, if it weren't for your help, I'd have never met the love of my life today."

In walked Douglas's wife Embri, formerly a Tranquil Elven enchanter, happily serving tea to both you and her husband. The mark on her forehead had long since faded, her connection restored by a Fade spirit touching her mind.

"Does Douglas make you happy, Embri?" You asked.

"Oh yes, he's such a lovely man," Said Embri, blushing like a maiden, "Though I wish he weren't such a workaholic."

"Hey! I try to make time for you and our dear children!" Douglas retorted, "Besides, it's not like I can just avoid it either, even with the army of clerks I have on hand."

"My husband is not a workaholic, but he is a busy man as well," Leliana said smilingly.

Embri sighed, saying, "I suppose when a city expands so rapidly, it always brings its equally mammoth share of paperwork to handle."

Then, Embri leans in to kiss her husband on the lips, a sensual kiss that leaves a string of saliva trailing from their mouths.

Harrumphing, Embri then said, "Shall we take this elsewhere, my love?"

Then, Leliana aggressively kissed you, messily spreading saliva all across your lips.

"It's been so long since we've last fucked each other, my love," Leliana whispered, "Why don't we go somewhere more... private?"

"So I see you're also in the mood, Leliana," Said Douglas, "As it so happens, my bedroom's become a little too big for my liking. If you like, we could bring in a spare mattress."